What do you do if your confidence is holding you back from taking on leadership roles?

Step 1: CATCH. Recognise your fears and name your 'inner critic' when they surface. Step 2: ACKNOWLEDGE. Give voice to your fears, your 'inner critic'. What is it saying? Perhaps, you're not good enough, or fear of failure. Write that all down. Step 3: CHALLENGE. Is it true? Can you absolutely know that it's true? What are some other perspectives around this? Step 4: REFRAME. Call in your wise one - your confident 'future self'. What would your wise one want to say to your inner critic re: taking on leadership roles? If your best friend was in the same situation as you, what would you tell him/her? Step 6: PRACTICE. Receive. And repeat, repeat, repeat.

I fully agree. It is already very demanding to look at one’s own insecurities, feelings of weakness, insufficiency etc. But it is even more demanding to show it to others. But this is the point where change and development is possible. When a company succeeds in building a culture, where people have no fear to show their own vulnerability, the way to creative, constructive and joyful collaboration is open. In my opinion, it’s one of the major task of leaders nowadays to encourage people to show also their “negative” emotions and fears and to take the responsibility for them. But this only works, when also the leader does not hide him or herself versus the employees.

If confidence poses a barrier to assuming leadership roles, start by acknowledging that leadership isn't suited for everyone, and that's okay. Engage in self-reflection to understand your strengths and areas for growth. Gradually build confidence by taking on smaller leadership responsibilities, seeking mentorship, and investing in personal development activities that bolster self-assurance. Remember, leadership manifests in various forms; find what aligns best with your strengths and values.

Let me ask you a provocative question: What are your motivations for aspiring to be an executive? If the pursuit of such a role makes you feel sick to your stomach, it might be worth considering the alternative path of a specialized career, which can offer its own kind of fulfillment and satisfaction.

When it comes to addressing confidence issues that may hinder one from pursuing leadership roles, the approach involves taking gradual steps out of the comfort zone. This could entail volunteering for smaller leadership opportunities or taking on new projects. Celebrating even the smallest victories along the way can significantly boost confidence levels. Additionally, maintaining a growth mindset, understanding that mistakes are part of the learning process, proves instrumental. Seeking support from peers and mentors who believe in one's abilities can also provide valuable encouragement. By implementing these strategies, individuals can work towards overcoming confidence barriers and confidently embrace leadership roles

Set goals that make you stretch a bit...not too much, as to cause fear and failure, but ones that may be a little uncomfortable, but you know will give you the boost you need once successfully completed.

If the leadership role is a little way off, why not set a few relevant mini-goals before the application and interview? Does your resume lack volunteering? Then set a goal of writing to three volunteering groups in your area that resonate with you. Explore all three, choose one, and turn up as a volunteer! There’s four mini-goals right there. Perhaps you want to add a new skill to your resume, something more current? Set a mini goal to sign up for a three day course in something specific to the leadership role. By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and achieving the mini goals, you’re re-programming your sub-conscious mind for success. Setting a goal and achieving it is now very current - why would ‘leadership’ be different?

Set goals that make a difference. A successful leader is about making changes for a better society. You can set small goals, such as small acts of kindness, to improve yourself, others, your community, and society. As you take action and achieve those small goals, you will become more creative and set bigger goals to make a bigger impact. You will become an inspirational leader.

Constructive feedback and accountability are of great help if you’re frightened when thinking of going for a leadership role. ‘Something’ made you feel right for the role. If it was your ‘gut instinct’ - it was probably right! Having other people you respect and admire, reinforce this belief by pointing out your strengths and weaknesses, is amazing. Any weaknesses can be addressed ahead of time, worked on, tweaked, and improved. Any strengths can motivate, and give you the confidence and self belief required to battle through the self doubt.

Confidence is a top trait of leaders. It doesn't come in one day, rather it's a lifelong journey of conquering higher mountains as you go. Investment in your development is the best thing you can do for yourself. 1. Leaders are readers - make a list of books for the month/year with the estimated deadlines to keep track of your progress. In case you struggle with accountability, get yourself an accountability buddy and make it a funny challenge. 2. Get yourself into the environment of leaders; attend master classes, leadership meet-ups, masterminds, conferences, etc. Get feedback from your colleagues, mentors, coaches, and higher-ups. Prepare an action plan on how you're planning to develop those skills and competencies.

All good leaders are on a journey, rather than having arrived somewhere, set up their office, and rested on their laurels. They are on a journey of self improvement. One that never ends, because they see, hear and feel the benefits of continuous self-assessment and adaption. Every great leader I’ve met was actually quite humble, aware of their short-comings, and working on them by reading, studying, training, and teaching to help others along the way. Learning is part of my own personal morning ritual, has been for over 20 years, and always will be. I always set aside time to read, write, and learn while sipping my first drink of the day (an Apple & Pear Green Tea if you’re interested). 😇

A successful leader innovates, which requires new knowledge and skills. Therefore, becoming a lifelong learner is important to acquire the knowledge and skills to create and innovate. The more you take the initiative to develop new ideas, the more you are a leader.

I would proactively take up CONSTRUCTIVE feedback from all the relevant stake holders within my ecosystem of work dynamics and put my best forward to LEARN on all the shortcomings to be able to scale up in an Organic way and EARN my place to be deserving Leader and help & motivate my Team/Organisation to be active Learners and Action doers in being able to scale up in their respective roles/Journey!! This is when a True Leader exemplifies his/her Leadership by ✓ encouraging qualities, ✓behaviours, ✓thought process, ✓skills, ✓communication, ✓ unbiased treatment with every employee, ✓ ethics & values, ✓ and most importantly greater Humility & Gratitude!! Love & Evolve! 💜😇

Confidence is a skill, not a personality trait. 🌳 Build your confidence as a leader through little acts of courage each day. Volunteering to take charge of events, making your voice heard, creating the space for other voices to be heard etc. Confidence as a leader is a muscle that you build up over time. 💪

Some common leadership traits are risk-taking, initiative, role model, responsibility, and team player. You can start by practicing these leadership skills in your personal life. For example, take initiative to do your own things and not have to follow what everyone else is doing. Do positive things to become a role model. Take responsibility for your life outcomes, especially when you have negative ones. When you can apply leadership in your own life, you will have a better chance of applying it in the outside world.

If your confidence is holding you back from taking on leadership roles, visualization can be a powerful tool. Spend time each day vividly imagining yourself successfully leading a team or project. Picture yourself making confident decisions, effectively communicating with your team, and achieving positive outcomes through your leadership. By consistently visualizing success, you can reinforce your self-belief and mentally prepare yourself to step into leadership roles with confidence and competence. Remember, if we can hold it in our mind, we can hold it in our hands. The energy we project is the initiation of the steps we are taking. It's 'mise en place,' setting the stage for success.

In my experience i began by taking on small leadership roles or responsibilities that felt manageable and gradually expanded my leadership presence over time. Volunteerism for projects, lead team meetings, or mentored colleagues to gain confidence in my abilities. In addition i sought feedback from mentors, colleagues, or trusted friends who then provided constructive criticism and encouragement. Using their insights, i was able to identify areas for growth and improvement.

Confidence comes from taking action. Ruminating, feeling inadequate, and being fearful will not help you in becoming confident. The only thing that will slowly build your confidence is taking action. Do what you fear and in time you will become confident. And while doing things, always seek to learn as much as you can. Action + Learning = Confidence.

If you're afraid to take on leadership roles, it may not be a self-confidence issue, but a self-worth one. Confidence is the memory of previous successes. It's a skill you can develop by regularly reminding yourself of what you've already accomplished. Confidence can get us into a role, but it can't make us feel deserving of it - that's where self-worth comes in - which is feeling enough without needing to take action. Worth is feeling capable, valuable, lovable for who you are: your values, intentions, ideas. When you feel higher self worth, you feel like you belong in the places your confidence gets you to.